Weigel networks have a robust holiday slate, with programming ranging from “Meet Me in St. Louis” on MOVIES!, to Christmas episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” on MeTV and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” on Catchy Comedy. Neal Sabin, Vice-Chairman, Weigel Broadcasting, talked to Cynopsis about Santa-themed strategy.
What audience reaction do you get for this programming, and how does it differ from one network to another?
The Weigel Networks are feel good entertainment networks, offering comforting escapes from the everyday, with a variety of programming that celebrates nostalgia. Whether viewers are tuning in for the timeless classics of MeTV, or the engaging procedurals on Start TV, the laughs on Catchy Comedy or the films on Movies!, we provide a curated lineup to lift spirits and create feel-good moments, especially now for the holiday season. Across all our networks, our holiday-themed episodes and programming events bring a double dose of joy and comfort. For example, shows like “The Andy Griffith Show” feel even more welcoming with their holiday episodes. Same for the Christmas episodes of our Westerns and other classic fare on MeTV, as well as “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and other comedies on Catchy Comedy. All our networks are programmed to celebrate the holiday season and we lean into favorite series to amplify the warm and heartfelt viewing experience.
What is the selection process for programming? Is there a strategy for time of week or time of day?
Understanding that our viewers look forward to their favorite shows at familiar times, we weave holiday episodes into our regular schedules, along with special weekend events. For example, on Catchy Comedy, we’ll program weekend “binge” marathons of holiday episodes from beloved series. Each Sunday on MeTV, “A Very Merry MeTV” scheduling will bring festive holiday programming, including our animated Charlie Brown movies in November and December. Movies! will spotlight Hollywood’s best musicals and fan-favorite family films like Shirley Temple classics in December. This year, we’re also launching our first holiday celebration on MeTV Toons, our newest network, with a lineup of nostalgic holiday episodes of classic animation from “The Flintstones,” “Yogi Bear,” “Inspector Gadget” and Sonic the Hedgehog” and others, including some titles that haven’t aired on free TV in decades!
What benefits does the programming offer to advertisers?
The benefits of advertising on these programs reflects the unique appeal of Weigel Networks’ programming overall – a welcoming, family-friendly environment where beloved shows resonate even more with the added warmth of the holiday season. Advertisers enjoy the advantage of placing their message within the content that elevates warm emotions, creating a feel-good atmosphere. This holiday programming fosters nostalgia and joy, encouraging audiences to stay tuned during commercial breaks, which are kept minimal to sustain engagement. It’s truly a win-win: advertisers reach an attentive, happy audience, while viewers enjoy conflict-free, heartwarming and entertaining content as a refreshing escape from everyday worries. It’s the gift of memorable entertainment we are so pleased to be able to share with everyone across the country.
Weigel holiday programming this year includes:
MeTV
Sunday, December 1: Happy Days Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at 11a, Laverne & Shirley Christmas Eve at the Bobby Hatch at 11:30p
Tuesday, December 3: Matlock The Gift at 10a, In The Heat of the Night My Name is Hank at 11a, Bonanza Gabrielle at 2p, The Beverly Hillbillies Clampetts Get Culture at 9p, Green Acres An Old Fashioned Christmas at 9:30p, Hogan’s Heroes Prisoner’s Prisoner at 10p
Wednesday, December 4: Adam 12 Log 122: Christmas: The Yellow Dump Truck at 6a, Adam 12 Log 96: Pilgrimage at 6:30p, Matlock Santa Claus at 10a
Saturday, December 7: A Very Merry Bugs Bunny Christmas at 9a, The Wild Wild West Night of the Whirring Death at 10a, Wagon Train The St Nicholas Story at 11a, The Big Valley Judgement in Heaven at 12p, Gunsmoke PS Murry Christmas at 1p, Bonanza A Christmas Story at 2p, Rawhide Twenty-Five Santa Clauses at 4p, Have Gun Will Travel Be Not Forgetful at 5p, Wanted Dead or Alive Eight Cent Reward at 5:30p, Lost in Space Return From Outer Space at 1a, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Long Live the King at 2a, Land of the Giants Night of the Thrombeldinbar at 3a
Sunday, December 8: The Brady Bunch The Voice of Christmas at 10a, Happy Days Tell it to the Marines at 11a, Laverne & Shirley Oh Come All Ye Bums at 11:30a, The Beverly Hillbillies Home for the Holidays at 2p, The Beverly Hillbillies No Place Like Home at 2:30p, Gilligan’s Island Birds Gotta Swim, Fish Gotta Talk at 3p, Mama’s Family Santa Mama at 4p, Mama’s Family Mama Gets Goosed at 4:30p, The Love Boat Lonely At The Top/Silent Night at 5p, The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Story at 6p, M*A*S*H Dear Dad at 7p, M*A*S*H Dear Sis at 7:30p, All In the Family Christmas Day at the Bunkers at 8p, Good Times Penny’s Christmas at 8:30p, Good Times Traveling Christmas at 9p, Sanford & Son Ebenezer Sanford at 9:30p, Carol Burnett & Friends Mrs Wiggins/Harry’s Mirage and Grill at 10:30p, The Dick Van Dyke Show Alan Brady Show Presents at 11p, The Honeymooners Twas the Night Before Christmas at 12a
Wednesday, December 11: Matlock The Scrooge at 10a, In The Heat of the Night Blessings at 11a
Sunday, December 15: Happy Days White Christmas at 11a, Laverne & Shirley Friendly Persuasion at 11:30a, The Beverly Hillbillies Christmas at the Clampetts at 2p, The Beverly Hillbillies Christmas Present at 2:30p, A Very Brady Christmas at 3p, The Love Boat The Christmas Presence at 5p, All In the Family The Bunkers Go West at 8p, All In the Family California, Here We Come (Pt 1) at 8:30p, All In the Family California, Here We Come (Pt 2) at 9p
Wednesday, December 18: The Beverly Hillbillies Week Before Christmas at 9p
Friday, December 20: Petticoat Junction Cannonball Christmas at 5a, Petticoat Junction Santa Claus Special at 5:30a
Sunday, December 22: Saved By the Bell Home for Christmas Pt 1 at 9a, Saved By the Bell Home for Christmas Pt 2 at 9:30a, Happy Days All I Want For Christmas at 11a, The Love Boat Santa, Santa/Another Dog Gone Christmas at 5p, All In the Family Edith’s Christmas Story at 8p, All In the Family The Draft Dodger at 8:30p, All In the Family Edith’s Crisis of Faith Pt 1 at 9p, All In the Family Edith’s Crisis of Faith Pt 2 at 9:30p
Monday, December 23: The Twilight Zone Changing of the Guard at 12:30a, Alfred Hitchcock Presents Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid at 1a, Alfred Hitchcock Presents Back for Christmas at 1:30a
Tuesday, December 24: M*A*S*H Death Takes a Holiday at 7p, M*A*S*H Twas the Day After Christmas at 7:30p, The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Story at 8p, The Beverly Hillbillies Christmas in Hooterville at 9p, Carol Burnett Show Nobody Does It Like Me at 11p, Holiday Greetings from the Ed Sullivan Show at 11:30p, Highway Patrol Christmas Story at 5a, Dragnet The Christmas Story at 5:30a
Wednesday, December 25: Adam-12 Christmas, Toon In With Me Christmas at 7a, The Waltons The Children’s Carol Pt 1 at 12p, The Waltons The Children’s Carol Pt 2 at 1p
HEROES & ICONS
Saturday, December 7: Lethal Weapon Jingle Bell Glock at 3p
“Saturday, December 14: Heroes & Icons: Lethal Weapon Wreck the Halls at 3p
Saturday, December 21: Wonder Woman Deadly Toys at 11a, MacGyver The Madonna at 12p, Martial Law Sammo Claus at 2p, Lethal Weapon Bad Santas at 3p, Tour of Duty Green Christmas at 8p, 12 O’Clock High Duel at Mont Sainte Marie at 1a
Sunday, December 22: Wonder Woman Pot of Gold at 10a, The Fall Guy Escape Claus at 4p
Monday, December 23: Nash Bridges 25 Hours of Christmas at 12p
Tuesday, December 24: Cheyenne Long Winter at 11a
Wednesday, December 25: Wanted Dead or Alive Eight Cent Reward at 7a, Have Gun Will Travel Be Not Forgetful of Strangers at 8a, Rawhide Twenty-Five Santa Clauses at 9a, Cheyenne The Angry Sky at 11a, Walker, Texas Ranger A Ranger’s Christmas at 3p, Walker, Texas Ranger A Matter of Faith at 4p
START TV
Sunday, December 15: Providence The Mating Dance at 2a
Monday, December 16: Touched By An Angel Fear Not! at 8a
Tuesday, December 17: Touched By An Angel The Feather at 8a
Wednesday, December 18: Touched By An Angel The Violin Lesson at 8a
Thursday, December 19: Touched By An Angel It Came Upon A Midnight Clear at 8a
Friday, December 20: Touched By An Angel An Angel On the Roof at 8a
Saturday, December 21: Touched By An Angel The Christmas Gift at 8a, Providence Home For The Holiday at 2a
Sunday, December 22: Providence The Gift at 2a
Monday, December 23:: Touched By An Angel An Angel On My Tree at 8a, The Closer You Have The Right To Remain Jolly at 7p
Tuesday, December 24: Touched By An Angel A Winter Carol at 8a, The Closer Next of Kin Pt 1 at 6p, The Closer Next of Kin Pt 2 at 7p, Cold Case Beautiful Little Fool at 12a, Ghost Whisperer Holiday Santa at 5a
Wednesday, December 25: Any Day Now Five Golden Rings at 7a, Touched By An Angel The Christmas Watch at 8a, Murder, She Wrote A Christmas Secret at 9a, Major Crimes Curve Ball at 3p, Major Crimes Chain Reaction at 4p, The Closer Living Proof Pt 1 at 6p, The Closer Living Proof Pt 2 at 7p, Cold Case Sabotage at 12a
CATCHY COMEDY NETWORK
Saturday, December 14: The Honeymooners Specials A Christmas Carol at 11a, The Honeymooners Specials The Christmas Special at 12p, The Danny Thomas Show Christmas And Clowns at 1p, The Danny Thomas Show The Singing Sisters at 1:30p, The Danny Thomas Show Christmas Story at 2p, That Girl Christmas And The Hardluck Kid at 2:30p, That Girl Twas The Night Before Christmas You’re Under Arrest at 3p, The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Story at 3:30p, The Dick Van Dyke Show The Alan Brady Show Presents at 4p, The Mary Tyler Moore Show Christmas And The Hardluck Kid II at 4:30p, The Mary Tyler Moore Show Not A Christmas Story at 5p, The Love Boat The Christmas Presence at 5:30p, The Love Boat Lonely At The Top / Silent Night / Divorce Me, Please at 6:30p, Happy Days Guess Who’s Coming To Christmas at 7:30p, Happy Days Christmas Time at 8p, Happy Days White Christmas at 8:30p, Happy Days All I Want For Christmas at 9p, Laverne & Shirley Oh, Come All Ye Bums at 9:30p, ALF ALF’s Christmas Special Pt 1 at 10p, ALF ALF’s Christmas Special Pt 2 at 10:30p, Mama’s Family Santa Mama at 11p, Mama’s Famiy Mama Gets Goosed at 11:30p, Good Times Sometimes, There’s No Bottom In The Bottle at 12a, Good Times Penny’s Christmas at 12:30a, Good Times The Traveling Christmas at 1a, Sanford and Son Ebenezer Sanford at 1:30a, All In the Family Christmas Day At The Bunkers’ at 2a, All In the Family Edith’s Christmas Story at 2:30a, Love, American Style Love And The Old Weds / Love And The Christmas Punch at 3a, Love, American Style Love And The Perfect Wife / Love And The Wee He at 3:30a, Car 54, Where Are You? Christmas at the 53rd at 4a, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Jangle Bells at 4:30a, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Have Reindeer, Will Travel at 5a, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Will The Real Santa Claus Please Come Down The Chimney at 5:30a
Sunday, December 15: Our Miss Brooks Christmas Show 1952 at 6a, Our Miss Brooks Christmas Show at 6:30a, Our Miss Brooks Music Box Revue at 7a, The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet The Boys’ Christmas Money at 7:30a, The Adventures of Ozzie And Harriet The Busy Christmas at 8a, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Day After Christmas at 8:30a, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Christmas Tree Lot at 9a, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Girl In the Emporium at 9:30a, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet A Piano For the Fraternity at 10a, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Pen and Pencil Set at 10:30a, The Bob Newhart Show His Busiest Season at 11a, The Bob Newhart Show I’m Dreaming of a Slight Christmas at 11:30a, The Bob Newhart Show Home Is Where the Hurt Is at 12p, The Bob Newhart Show Bob Has to Have His Tonsils Out, So He Spends Christmas Eve In the Hospital at 12:30p, The Bob Newhart Show Breaking Up Is Hard to Do at 1p, The Bob Newhart Show Making Up Is The Thing To Do at 1:30p, Newhart The Prodigal Darryl at 2p, Bob A Christmas Story at 2:30p, Bob Have Yourself A Married Little Christmas at 3p, Taxi A Full House For Christmas at 3:30p, Cheers The Spy Who Came In For A Cold One at 4p, Cheers A House Is Not A Home at 4:30p, Cheers Christmas Cheers at 5p, Cheers Love Me, Love My Car at 5:30p, Night Court Santa Goes Downtown at 6p, Night Court Let It Snow at 6:30p, Night Court The Night Before Christmas at 7p, Night Court Santa On The Lam at 7:30p, The Odd Couple Scrooge Gets An Oscar at 8p, The Lucy Show Lucy The Choirmaster at 8:30p, The Beverly Hillbillies Home For Christmas at 9p, The Beverly Hillbillies No Place Like Home at 9:30p, The Beverly Hillbillies The Christmas Present at 10p, The Beverly Hillbillies The Week Before Christmas at 10:30p, Green Acres An Old Fashioned Christmas at 11p, Gilligan’s Island Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk at 11:30p, The Monkees The Monkees Christmas Show at 12a, The Flying Nun Wailing In A Winter Wonderland at 12:30a, Square Pegs Child’s Christmas In Weemawee Pt 1 at 1a, Square Pegs A Child’s Christmas In Weemawee Pt 2 at 1:30a, Full House Our Very First Christmas Show at 2a, Full House A Very Tanner Christmas at 2:30a, Full House Arrest Ye Merry Gentlemen at 3a, The Brady Bunch The Voice Of Christmas at 3:30a, Family Affair Christmas Came A Little Early at 4a, The Donna Reed Show A Very Merry Christmas at 4:30a, Petticoat Junction Cannonball Christmas at 5a, Petticoat Junction The Santa Claus Special at 5:30a
DABL
Sunday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 25: Half & Half The Big How The Ex Stole Christmas Episode at 6a and 6p, The Jamie Foxx Show Christmas Day-Ja-Vu at 7a and 7p, Living Single Living Kringle at 8a and 8p, Living Single Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow…Dammit at 8:30a and 8:30p, Girlfriends You Better Watch Out at 9a and 9p, Girlfriends Merry Ex-Mas at 9:30a and 9:30p, Girlfriends I’ll Have A Blue Line Christmas at 10a and 10p, Girlfriends Deck The Halls With Bags And Folly at 10:30a and 10:30p, The Game There’s No Place Like Home at 11a and 11p, The Game The Ghost Of Derwin Past at 11:30a and 11:30p, Sister, Sister Christmas at 12p and 12a, Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Christmas at 1p and 1a, Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Kris at 1:30p and 1:30a, One on One Santa Baby at 3p and 3a, One on One It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like…Venice? at 3:30p and 3:30a, Moesha A Class Act Christmas at 4p and 4a, The Parkers Secret Santa at 5p and 5a
MeTV TOONS
Saturday, November 30: The Smurfs It’s A Smurfy Life/The Abominable Snow Beast/Journey To The Center Of The Smurf at 4p, Tis The Season To Be Smurfy at 5p, Smurfs Christmas Special at 5:30p, Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas at 6p, Casper’s First Christmas at 6:30p, Flintstones Christmas at 7p
Saturday, December 7: Cartoons All-Stars Christmas Edition at 4p, The Adventures Of Rocky & Bullwinkle The Fright Before Christmas / A Visit From Saint Nicholhouse at at 7p, The Adventures Of Rocky & Bullwinkle Claus And Effect / Yule Be Sorry at 7:30p
Saturday, December 14: A Pup Named Scooby Doo Snow Place Like Home at 4p, Scooby Doo Where Are You? That’s A Snow Ghost at 4:30p, The New Scooby Doo Mysteries The Nutcracker Scoob at 5p, The New Scooby Doo Mysteries The Night Of The Living Toys / South Pole Vault at 5:30p, The Flintstones Christmas Flintstone at 6p, The Jetsons A Jetson’s Christmas Carol at 6:30p, A Very Bugs Christmas at 7p
Saturday, December 21: Casper’s First Christmas at 4p, Cabbage Patch Kids Christmas Special at 4:30p, The Smurfs Magic Sack Of Mr. Nichols at 5p, The Smurfs Baby’s First Christmas at 5:30p, Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas at 6p, Inspector Gadget Gadget In Winterland at 6:30p, Sonic Christmas Blast at 7p, The New Scooby Doo Mysteries The Nutcracker Scoob at 7:30p
STORY TELEVISION NETWORK
Friday, December 20: Forged In Fire A Very Forged Christmas at 8a, 4pm and 12a, Forged In Fire Forged In Fire Christmas at 9am, 5pm and 1am
Saturday, December 21: Mysteries of the Bible Herod The Great at 10a, 6p and 2a, Mysteries of the Bible Mary Of Nazareth at 11a, 7p and 3a, Mysteries of the Bible Jesus Holy Child at 1p, 9p and 5a, Mysteries of the Bible Jesus in the Galilee at 2p, 10p and 6a, Mysteries of the Bible Magic and Miracles at 3p, 11p and 7a
Sunday, December 22: Biography Santa Claus at 8a, 4p and 12a, Biography Mary of Nazareth: A Mother’s Life at 9a, 5p and 1a, Joseph: The Silent Saint at 10a, 5p and 2a, Biography Mary Magdalene: The Hidden Apostle at 11a, 7p and 3a, Biography Jesus: His Life at 12p, 8p and 4a, Biography The Unknown Jesus at 2p, 10p and 6a
Tuesday, December 24: American Restoration One Horse Open Sleigh at 12p, 8p and 4a.
Wednesday, December 25: Jesus: His Life Joseph The Nativity at 8a, 4p and 12a, Jesus: His Life John The Baptist: The Mission at 9a, 5p and 1, Jesus: His Life Mary: The First Miracles 10a, 6p and 2a, Jesus: His Life Caiaphas: The Raising Of Lazarus at 11a, 7p and 3a, Jesus: His Life Judas: The Betrayal at 12p, 8p and 4a, Jesus: His Life Pilate: The Trial at 1p, 9p and 5a, Jesus: His Life Mary Magdalene: The Crucifixion at 2p, 10p and 6a, Jesus: His Life Peter: The Resurrection at 3p, 11p and 7a
MOVIES!
Sunday, December 22: March Of The Wooden Soldiers at 12p, A Christmas Carol at 1:40p, Mrs. Santa Claus at 3:35p, Meet Me In St. Louis at 5:30p
“Wednesday, December 25: MOVIES!: A Christmas Carol at 8a, An American Chriistmas Carol at 9:55a, The Night They Saved Christmas at 12p, Mrs. Santa Claus at 2p, The Twelve Days Of Christmas Eve at 4p, Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus at 5:55p, A Christmas Carol at 8p, Meet Me In St. Louis at 9:55p, Mrs. Santa Claus at 12:25am, The Night They Saved Christmas at 2:25am
